In a stunning display of bowling prowess, Mohammed Siraj delivered a spell for the ages during the 2023 Asia Cup final, propelling India to a resounding victory over Sri Lanka. Siraj’s fiery bowling performance, which featured a remarkable four-wicket haul in a single over, dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup, limiting them to a mere 50 runs.
Siraj’s career-best figures of 6-21 not only marked the second-ever six-wicket haul in the history of the Asia Cup but also stood as the most exceptional bowling performance against Sri Lanka, surpassing Waqar Younis’s 6-26 achieved in 1990.
The Sri Lankan top order experienced a catastrophic collapse, losing six wickets within the first six overs of the match, thanks to Siraj’s devastating spells. He achieved a fifer in just 16 deliveries, reducing Sri Lanka to a dire 12/6—a joint record for the lowest score at the fall of the sixth wicket in all ODIs.
Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first backfired as the Indian pacers exploited swing and movement. Jasprit Bumrah claimed the initial breakthrough, dismissing Kusal Perera in the opening over. Subsequently, Siraj wreaked havoc in the fourth over, dismissing Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, and Dhananjaya de Silva—becoming the first Indian bowler to take four wickets in an over in ODIs.
After a maiden over from Bumrah, Siraj struck again by dismissing Dasun Shanaka for a duck, an achievement that made him the first Indian to secure a five-wicket haul within the initial 10 overs of an ODI. Kusal Mendis tried to stabilize the innings but ultimately succumbed to Siraj’s relentless attack, marking Siraj’s sixth scalp in just six overs. A well-executed short delivery by Hardik Pandya accounted for the dismissal of Dunith Wellalage, and Sri Lanka found themselves at 40/8.
Dushan Hemantha, stepping in for the injured Maheesh Theekshana, contributed valuable runs to prevent the ignominy of recording the lowest ODI total. However, Hardik Pandya chipped in with two quick wickets, dismissing Pramod Madushan and Matheesha Pathirana, wrapping up the Sri Lankan innings in the 16th over. This unfortunate turn of events left Sri Lanka with the unwanted record of the lowest total in an ODI final.
In summary, Mohammed Siraj’s extraordinary bowling heroics guided India to a memorable victory in the 2023 Asia Cup final, showcasing a performance that will be etched in cricketing history.
